I have been working at Trinity College Dublin part-time (less than a year)

Pros

As a student research assistant I had the opportunity to work with an academic with whom I shared interests and got along well, and this made the job very enjoyable and beneficial. I felt like I was a valued partner to my boss rather than a resource to be employed for his benefit alone. However, I imagine this could vary greatly between academics.

Aside from this individual aspect of my job the great benefits were the flexibility, working remotely and at my own pace were encouraged, and the pay, other comparable jobs/internships are regularly unpaid. These were major advantages for me and meant that I could earn money and maintain a fantastic quality of life while in this position.

Cons

While there were many good aspects to this position, the actual daily work I was engaged in was very monotonous. I was essentially doing data entry for the duration of the employment and, while this was pleasantly stress free, it meant that I wasn't challenged or didn't progress my skills in any meaningful way. However, to his credit, my boss was aware of this and tried to involve me in the project he was working on in other ways as much as was possible.

This wasn't an issue for me but working closely with one single academic has the potential to be hit and miss. A personality clash could sour the whole experience.

I gained experience when I was working towards my doctorate in teaching and in the year immediately following. Because I was already known to my colleagues I had lots of support within my department, and I had students who wanted to be there.

Cons

As in most universities, the paperwork required to get paid in a timely manner was outdated and an obstacle. Better attendance by supervisors in lectures would give credence to the class as well.

Advice to ManagementAdvice

Treat your adjuncts kindly in this tough economic climate. It seems we're here to stay until the economy recovers.

Glassdoor has 14 Trinity College Dublin reviews submitted anonymously by Trinity College Dublin employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Trinity College Dublin is right for you.